Exploring contemporary history in a fast changing island ecosystem
Anirban Dutta Gupta is an UNESCO WNICBR 2021 and Panda Award Winning Filmmaker, Photographer, Ethnographer and Communication Designer. His work in the Andamans of highlighting the indigenous knowledge system of the Onge tribe has saved the community from the tsunami devastation; focuses on the redevelopment solution of housing through co-design with the hunting gathering community. He finds it crucial to have community insights on the need and kind of museums along with the evolution of artefacts with modern influence. He has been instrumental in providing insights into the inner dynamics of the hunting and gathering community of the Jarawas through the honey collection process.
Some of his documentary works on conservation under the Runaway Planet include ‘Ganga: Ribbon of Life’, ‘The Hunt’, ‘Museum of our Own’, ‘One Land Many Voices’, ‘On Road to Recovery’,’ Uneyholo’ and ‘Otters: The Waterdogs of Moyar’. He also has a film on Indian Diaspora called ‘Shared Futures’ which is a part of a series called ‘Bridging Worlds’ which explores the life, history and culture of the Indian Diaspora in France and French territories of Reunion, Guadaloupe and Pondicherry. It looks at the age-old links with India through its indentured labour system and also the modern professional links. It also explores the shared future between the two countries.
‘Ganga: Ribbon of Life’ has taken part in numerous prestigious film festivals, winning the Panda Award for Best Film from Developing Countries at the prestigious Wildscreen Awards in Bristol, popularly called the ‘Green Oscars’. ‘Museum of Our Own’ explores the ethnography and natural history of the Andaman Islands. Supported by the Scientific Exploration Society Neville Shulman Award, AAJVS and ANTRI, the film explores the aspects of contemporary history in a fast changing island ecosystem. ‘Uneyholo’ showcases the hunter-gatherer Jarawa community numbering approximately 500 individuals still dependent on the resources available in their forests for survival. For the first time, and in incredibly difficult conditions, this film was shot on their honey-collecting techniques. ‘The Hunt’ captures the hunting of the Andaman Wild Pig, which is an important source of protein, for the Jarawa community in the thick forest. ‘One Land Many Voices’ is set on The Great Nicobar Island which is home to the hunter gatherer Shompen PVTG and the Nicobarese tribes. It explores the questions of development and tourism on the islands and what the various communities’ views are. ‘Otters: The Waterdogs of Moyar’ traces the conservation efforts to preserve the elusive waterdogs of Moyar River – the Smooth-Coated and Small Clawed Otters. ‘On road to recovery’ talks about the massive cloud burst that occured in the state of Uttarakhand, India in July 2013 and led to extensive flooding, damage and loss of life and property. The United Nations Disaster Management Team had responded by assisting the district administration in relief and rehabilitation. This film looks at the assistance provided and its impact one year after the ‘Himalayan Tsunami’.